L'ANSE - The L'Anse Area Schools Board of Education heard a comprehensive presentation from an ad hoc technology committee about potential technology upgrades for the district at its regular meeting Monday.
The seven-member committee, whose goal is "to investigate and complete research on best practices with regard to present and future delivery of educational services to our students through the use of technology," presented for about 45 minutes.
The committee researched the idea of assigning a mobile personal device to each student, which would help create a more engaging classroom environment. They plan to possibly incorporate the plan between 2012 and 2015.
The PowerPoint presentation stated the program "is an element in an international move towards individualized learning, which can increase independence and self-initiated learning in students, and extend their learning beyond the classroom."
In addition to hearing the presentation, the board also discussed the district's student count for the spring, which dropped to 707.92 from 720.45 in the fall and 733.31 last spring. Much of that reduction came a drop from 19.3 to 12.59 in community school count.
"I don't want to give false impression to public that our enrollment dropped that much," superintendent Ray Pasquali said in a phone interview this morning.
According to business manager Laura Mathieu, it will mean a slight decrease in funding, but the spring count only factors in 10 percent of the per-pupil funding, while fall count is 90 percent.
In other business, the board:
discussed beginning negotiations with its teachers union. The contract expires Aug. 31.
announced Copper Country Association of School Boards award winners: Heather Grentz, outstanding education employee; Jane VanBuren, school service award; John Smith, student service award.
approved service fund bids for the 2012-13 school year: Charter Business for fiber connection, CenturyLink for long distance, AT&T Mobility for cellphones and REMC1 for Internet service.
passed an anti-bullying resolution to adhere to Matt's Safe School Law, based on recommendations by policy services company NEOLA.
heard from Ken Whisler from the AFSCME union appealing the denial of a grievance filed with the district. The board did not respond at the meeting and it has 20 days to respond to the appeal.
heard school band members competed and all received ones, the highest rating, in recent competition.
heard a student report from Joslyn Hatfield discussing possibly making basketball parent's night for all parents instead of just senior parents. She also told the board about a successful fundraiser and a potential Earth Day project.
heard from junior/senior high principal Carrie Meyer a former student, Joseph Lescelius, bequeathed the school $5,000 in his will.